2022 White Bones Chardonnay
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From an extreme high-altitude, grand cru-level site in the cools of Gualtallary, the 2022 Chardonnay Adrianna Vineyard White Bones is distinct in its aromas of the native jumilla that surround the site, providing an herbal, earthy invitation to the light-bodied, refined palate of gravelly texture and minerality. Light and ethereal in style, it shows its limestone roots, and just a hint of oak, given 12-16 months of aging in oak barrel, all second, third, or fourth use. This wine practically buzzes in the glass with elegance and verve. Another 20 years of aging is not unrealistic. An outstanding wine! Among the best-known names in Argentina and a pioneer in bringing fine Argentine wine to the world, particularly Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, Catena Zapata is a partnership between legendary founder Nicolas Catena and his daughter Laura.
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Joaquin Hidalgo, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
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Perennially one of Argentina's most aromatically distinctive wines, the 2022 Adrianna Vineyard Chardonnay White Bones opens with its signature extroverted profile of resinous herbs, ginger and dried white flower aromas with an exotic touch of curry leaf from its biological élevage. The palate is broad, textural and weightlessly rich, exuding more body and understated power than its dramatically incisive White Stone counterpart. It culminates in a slow-moving, swelling finish that gradually gains dimension, energy and verticality with further aeration. This is a singular and definitive reference point for Argentine Chardonnay
Sourced from a parcel of the Adrianna Vineyard in Gualtallary, planted at 1,450 meters,the 2022 Chardonnay Adrianna Vineyard White Bones delivers a distinctive flavor. Crafted in a cool, sunny vintage, the chalky soils of Gualtallary lend a compact character to this high-altitude Chardonnay. Yellow in hue, it opens with aromas of hops, ivy and pea shoots, accompanied by hints of mint, sage, ginger and lime. Slightly concentrated, with vibrant energy and tension, it offers a blend of chalky texture, elevated acidity and a compact yet graceful palate. It lingers with long-lasting flavors and a subtly malic texture. This mountain white wine set a benchmark in 2009 and reaffirmed it in 2022.
From Gualtallary Monasterio. White Bones refers to Block 1 of the family ’ s Adrianna vineyard, where the soils are layered with calcareous deposits and limestone as well as fossili s ed animal bones. This wine goes through cold settling for 10 – 24 hours at less than 6 ° C to extract aromas. The juice is then fermented for around 45 – 95 days . Biological ageing under a veil of flor . É levage : 12 – 16 months in 100% o ak barrel of second, third and fourth use . If there’s one Chardonnay that you could easily spot blind in a line-up, it is Catena Zapata’s White Bones. There is an unmistakable note of lemon and lavender on the nose, which is quite unlike any other. In the palate, there is a delicious chalkiness and elegant, fine finish with vibrant acidity and slight tang from partial biological ageing. This vintage shows wonderful concentration yet poise. Stellar stuff. (AB)
About the producer
Bodega Catena Zapata has been instrumental both in the development of fine wine production in Argentina and in realising the full potential of the Malbec grape.